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Downtown LA fire: 150 firefighters respond to fashion district fire

by AP

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About 150 firefighters responded to a blaze that damaged four businesses at a commercial strip in the fashion district of downtown L.A.

City Fire spokesman Brian Humphrey says crews were forced into a defensive posture when flames started shooting through the roof of a building early Sunday. After pouring water on the fire from the outside, flames were knocked down in just over an hour and 40 minutes.

A fire captain was hospitalized in fair condition after suffering a severe laceration on his arm. No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The block along Maple Avenue just south of Olympic Boulevard is filled with independent retailers and wholesalers. A damage estimate was being made.